Vertical press apparatus with remotely controlled distributor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides for control of the distributor from the floor level in apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material, such as tobacco, into containers when the apparatus is of the type comprising a support for the container, an upright tubular charger arranged above the container, a pressing ram movable downwardly through the charger, an infeed conveyor, and a distributor located at the top of the charger and including deflector means presented at a plurality of locations spaced about the top of the charger for so deflecting the compressible material, as it is supplied by the infeed conveyor, that the material is distributed uniformly over the transverse crosssectional extent of the charger. Adjustable time delay devices are employed at the floor level for adjusting dwell times of the deflector means according to fill conditions observed at the floor level by the operator.

United States Patent Fishburne 1 June 18, 1974 [76] Inventor: Francis B.Fishburne, 24 Summit Dr., Asheville, NC. 28704 [22 Filed: July 27, 197121 Appl. No.: 166,433

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.845,746, July 29,

1969, Pat. NO. 3,595,282.

[52] U.S. Cl 141/80, 100/215, 141/286 [51] Int. Cl B65b l/24, B65b l/38,B65b 5/10, B65b 37/02, B65b 57/18, B65b 63/02 [58] Field of Search141/71-81, 141/286; 100/215 'Pn'mary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul ABSCT Theinvention provides for control of the distributor from the floor levelin apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material, such astobacco, into containers when the apparatus is of the type comprising asupport for the container, an upright tubular charger arranged above thecontainer, a pressing ram movable downwardly through the charger, aninfeed conveyor, and a distributor located at the top of the charger andincluding deflector means presented at a plurality of locations spacedabout the top of the charger for so deflecting the compressiblematerial, as it is supplied by the infeed conveyor, that the material isdistributed [5 6] References cued uniformlyover the transversecross-sectional extent of UNITED STATES PATENTS the charger. Adjustabletime delay devices are em- 3,060,977 10/ I962 Fishburne l4l/7l ployed atthe floor level for adjusting dwell times of 3,404,742 10/1968 Bonnericl4l/7l X the deflector means according to fill conditions obv Fishburneerved at the floor level the operator 3,589,411 6/1971 Vogt 141/713,595,282 7 1971. Fishburne 141/73 6 Claims, 9 Draw1ng Figures 256 2+5;$l Z50 I 253 I ADJUSMBLE TIME DELA 1 REM Y i ADJU5721BLE VERTICAL PRESSAPPARATUS WITH REMOTELY CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTOR RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.845,746, filed July 29, 1969, by Francis B. Fishburne and Clarence H.Hinnant, Jr., and now Pat. No. 3,595,282.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common practice to pack tobacco intohogsheads and other containers by employing a vertically actingreciprocatory press equipped with an upright charger, the chargerserving to retain a mass of tobacco suitable to be compressed into thecontainer, and the press having a ram which is passed downwardly throughthe charger tocompress the tobacco. Typical apparatus of this type aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,596,018, issued May 6, 1952, to F. B.Fishburne et al., and 2,675,154, issued Apr. 13, 1954, to F. B.Fishburne. Since it is necessary that the tobacco be distributeduniformly in the packed container, so that each portion of the spacewithin the container is occupied by essentially the same quantity oftobacco, compressed to the same extent, apparatus of the type referredto have employed distributors of various kinds, located at the top ofthe charger and serving to distribute the incoming tobacco uniformly.

As usually employed, distributors embodied in such packing apparatushave been such as to require that the entire distributor be moved out ofthe way of the press ram before the ram descends, and such movement ofthe distributor has required a period of time on the order of 7 secondsor longer, depending upon the design of the particular distributor.Since the press ram is operated at speeds on the order of 4 feet persecond, the time required to shift the distributor out of the way hasrepresented a significant and undesirable delay. Such packing apparatushave also suffered from the disadvantage that the distributors employedhave been relatively tall, typically on the order of 7 feet, so that theheight of the frame had to be increased, or the effective height of thecharger reduced, to accommodate the distributor. Additionally, thedistributors heretofore employed have been more complicated andexpensive than desired, and have had the further disadvantage that thedistributing action provided could not be adjusted easily and to asufficient extent. In this latter regard, such adjustments as have beenpossible have usually required an operator to climb to the elevatedlocation of the distributor to make manipulative adjustments, eitherwith a second person then observing at the floor level to see theeffects of the adjustments, or with the necessity of descending to thefloor level, observing the effects of the adjustments, and againascending to the level of the distributor to make further adjustments.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a general object of theinvention to devise apparatus of the type described which overcomes thedisadvantages which have characterized the packing apparatus heretoforeavailable to the trade.

Another object is to provide a more efficient distributor which can becontrolled at will to adjust the distributing action in accordance withobservations of the tobacco or like material falling into the lowerportion of the charger.

A further object is to provide such a packing apparatus in which thedistributor can be adjusted from the floor level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention applies to press apparatusembodying a distributor of the type having deflecting means, typicallyone or more pivoted deflecting blades, stowed adjacent the wall of thecharger, to allow the press'ram to pass, but which is presented in adownwardly and inwardly slanting position, to intercept and deflect theincoming fragmentary compressible material, at a plurality of differentlocations spaced about the top of the charger when the infeed conveyoris in operation, power means and control means being provided to operatethe distributor. In one embodiment, useful for packing tobacco inhogsheads or other circular containers, the distributor comprises asingle deflecting plate mounted at the top of the charger for pivotalmovement between the stowed and deflecting positions, and the powermeans and control means includes means for driving the deflecting plate,through an arcuate path at the top of the charger, first in onedirection to one end of the path and then in the opposite direction tothe other end of the path. In a second embodiment, useful for packingtobacco in cases of elongated rectangular plan configuration, thedistributor comprises two deflector plates each positioned at the top ofthe charger in a location above an end of the rectangular case, theplates being repeatedly pivoted sequentially from stowed to deflectingposition to distribute the incoming compressible material uniformlyrelative to the case. In the first embodiment the invention provides foradjustment of the time periods of dwell of the single deflecting plateat the two ends of the arcuate path. In the second embodiment, the timeperiod of dwell in stowed position is adjustable for each deflectingplate.

In order that the manner in which the foregoing and other objects areattained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail,particularly advantageous' embodiments thereof will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of theoriginal disclosure of the application, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus constructed according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, on a larger scale than FIG. 1, ofthe portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which is located at the top ofthe charger;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally on line 33, FIG. 2, partly intransverse cross section and partly in top plan elevation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view taken generally on line 44,FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical control systememployed in the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4;

- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fail-safe interlockbetween the pressing ram and distributor of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating acontrol system according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a composite view showing in side elevation apparatusconstructed according to yet another embodiment of the invention, withparts broken away for clarity of illustration, and control means showndiagrammatically; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 8.

Turning now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 15 illustrate oneembodiment of the invention applied to a tobacco packing apparatuscomprising a vertically arranged charger, indicated generally at 1, FIG.1, a support 2 for a hogshead or like container 3 into which the tobaccois to be packed, and a pressing ram 4 carried by a shaft 5 and arrangedto be reciprocated vertically, travelling first downwardly through thecharger 1 to compress the tobacco into container 3 and then upwardlythrough the charger to its starting position spaced above the top of thecharger.

Charger 1 is conventionally mounted for movement between a raised and alowered position and includes a main body portion 6, a lower end portion7, and a top portion 8 and is of circular transverse cross-sectionthroughout its length. Lower end portion 7 of the charger is fabricatedfrom rigid translucent flber-reenforced polymeric material, so that theflow and disposition of the tobacco in the lower portion of the chargercan be observed, for a purpose later described. A conventional bell 9depends from charger portion 7 so as to be disposed about the top ofcontainer 3 when the charger is in the lowered position, as seen in FIG.1.

The upper end of top portion 8 of the charger has rigidly securedthereto, as by welding, a reenforcing ring 10 of right anglecross-section, one web of the reenforcing ring directly embracing thecylindrical outer surface of portion 8 and the other web projectingtransversely outwardly. The extreme top end portion 11 of chargerportion 8 is located above reenforcing ring 10 and is frusto-conical,tapering upwardly and outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 2. A mounting ring12 is welded to the top of end portion 11, ring 12 being of L-shapedcross-section, with one web 13 projecting transversely outwardly and theother web 14 projecting upwardly as a cylindrical portion concentricwith the central axis of the charger, the upper edge of portion 1 1being secured to ring 12 at the junction between the two webs of thering. Upwardly projecting web 14 of ring 12 supports a plurality ofrollers 15, each roller being journaled on a stub shaft 16 which extendsthrough and is rigidly secured to web 14. Each roller includes a shortcylindrical portion 17 and an end flange 18, the end flanges 18 beingadjacent web 14 and the cylindrical portions 17 projecting therefrom,inwardly relative to ring 12. All of stub shafts 16 lie in a commonplane transverse to the vertical axis of the charger, and the stubshafts each extend radially of the charger, the stub shafts, and thusthe rollers 15, being equally spaced circumferentially of the charger.

Rotatably supported by rollers 15 is a ring 19. Ring 19 is of L-shapedtransverse cross-section, one web 20 of the ring projecting outwardly asa flat annular flange, the other web 21 depending as a right cylindricalportion. The diameter of web 20 is such that the web overliescylindrical portions 17 of the rollers 15, with the periphery of web 20extending immediately adjacent to the flanges 18 of the rollers. Thus,ring 19 is supported by the rollers for free rotation, yet is restrainedby flanges 18 against movement transversely relative to the charger.

Adjacent the lower end of web 21, a circular ring 22 is secured to andembraces web 21. A drive belt 23 extends about ring 22 and also aroundthe driven pulley 24 of a conventional electric motor drive unit 25.Drive unit 25 includes an electric motor 26 and a gear reduction unit27. The drive unit is secured to a mounting bracket 28 which is weldedto and projects radially outwardly from reenforcing ring 10 and theadjacent portion of upper portion 8 of the charger. Drive unit 25 is sosituated that its output shaft, to which pulley 24 is secured, isupright, and pulley 24 lies in the same plane as ring 22.

Two upright mounting bars 29 are secured at their lower ends to ring 19,the bars being parallel and spaced apart chordwise of the ring. Fixed toeach bar 29 in a location immediately above web 20 is a bearing 30, thebearings being aligned so that the shaft 31 journaled therein isparallel to the plane of ring 19 and extends chordwise relative to thering and, since the ring and charger are coaxial, chordwise with respectto the charger. Secured rigidly to the center of shaft 31 is a bellcrank lever 32. One arm 33 of lever 32 is provided with a flange 34 towhich is rigidly secured a deflecting plate 35. As seen in FIGS. 2-4,plate 35 is rectangular in plan, and one edge portion 36 thereof extendsin a plane parallel with and adjacent to shaft 31. Considering edgeportion 36 as the top edge of the plate, the plate is of arcuatetransverse cross-section, its radius of curvature being only slightlysmaller than that of the top portion 8 of charger 1, so that, given theappropriate rotational position of shaft 31, plate 35 can extend in astowed position immediately adjacent to the inner surface of top portion8 of the charger. Since the lower end of plate 35, Le, the edge portionopposite edge portion 36, extends for substantially less than the platecan be pivoted from its stowed position to a position in which the sameslants from shaft 31 downwardly and inwardly across the top of thecharger at, e.g., an angle of 45 relative to the central axis of thecharger.

Oscillation of shaft 31 to pivot plate 35 between its stowed anddeflecting positions is accomplished by a vertically arrangedconventional piston-and-cylinder type fluid pressure operated powerdevice 37. Power device 37 comprises a cylinder 38, piston 39 and powershaft 40, the latter extending downwardly to a point adjacent shaft 31and being connected to arm 41 of bell crank 32 by a clevis 42. The powerdevice is fixedly mounted by securing cylinder 38 to a cross memberwhich extends between and is fixed to mounting bars 29. Compressed airis supplied to cylinder 38 via a suitable flexible hose, not shown,under control of a solenoid operated valve 43. Valve 43 is so arrangedthat, when the valve is energized, air is supplied to the cylinder todrive the piston downwardly, pivoting the combination of shaft 31 andbell crank 32 in a direction to swing plate 35 to its deflectingposition. When deenergized, valve 43 acts to supply compressed air tocylinder 38 below the piston so that shaft 40 is driven upwardly andplate 35 is swung to its stowed position.

In order that the extent of movement of plate 35 away from its stowedposition can be adjusted to predetermine the deflecting position of theplate, an adjustable stop member 44 is mounted on ring 19 below and invertical alignment with arm 41 of bell crank 32.

The position of arm 41 of bell crank 32 is sensed by a conventionalnormally open electrical switch 45 which is carried by ring 19. Switch45 is so located that its operating lever is disposed above lever arm 41and is actuated by the arm to close the switch when plate 35 reaches itsstowed position.

The tobacco to be packed is supplied, as a stream projected generallyacross the top of the charger, by an infeed device in the form of ahorizontal endless conveyor 47 which extends radially with respect tothe charger and is arranged with its delivery end immediately above ring19 in a location near the wall of the charger. It will be understoodthat, save for movement of the conveyor belt and for the usualprovisions for adjustments, the position of the conveyor 47 is fixedrelative to the charger.

Motor 26 is a conventional 3-phase synchronous electric motor poweredvia conductors 48-50, FIG. 5, to drive pulley 24 clockwise orcounterclockwise, depending upon which of two reversing relays 51, 52 isenergized. Reversing relays 51, 52 are controlled automatically by acontrol circuit including position switches 53, 54 and time delay relays55 and 56, this control circuit being activated only when a manualswitch 57, a press ram position responsive switch 58, and the contacts59a of a relay 59, used to control infeed conveyor 47, are all closed.

Position switches 53 and 54 are mounted on the horizontal web 13 of ring12, as seen in FIG. 3, with switch 54 being located at the other side ofthat conveyor. Switch 53 is actuated at the end of each cycle ofcounterclockwise travel of ring 12 and serves to energize relay 51, viatime delay relay 55, to reverse the power connections to motor 26 andthereby commence clockwise rotation of ring 12. Similarly, switch 54 isactuated at the end of each cycle of clockwise travel of ring 12,serving to energize relay 52, via time delay relay 56 to again reversethe power connections to motor 26 and thereby commencecounterclockwiserotation of ring Switches 53, 54 are actuated by a cam60 which is carried by horizontal web of ring 19. The cam consists of ametal strip, the main body 61 of the strip being arcuate, withapproximately the same radius of curvature as the peripheral edge of web20 and having one of its edges welded to the peripheral portion of web20 in such fashion that the length of main body 61 extends generallyalong the peripheral edge of web 20 and the width of body 61 projectsvertically upwardly from web 20. The end portions of cam 60 are bentinwardly, toward the interior of ring 19. Accordingly, as the assemblyincluding ring 19 approaches the end of each counterclockwise cycle ofmovement, the leading end portion of the cam 60 displaces the actuatingarm of switch 53 from its normal position to its actuated position, thusclosing the contacts of that switch until, motor 26 having been reversedto drive the assembly including ring 19 in a clockwise direction, cam 60is moved out of engagement with the actuating arm of the direction, cam60 is moved out of engagement with the actuating arm of the switch.

Position switch 53 includes a set of normally open contacts 62 and a setof normally closed contacts 63. Position switch 54 comprises a set ofnormally open contacts 64 and two sets of normally closed contacts 65switch. Similarly, asthe assembly including ring 19 apits actuatedposition, thus closing the contacts of that switch until, motor 26having been reversed to drive the assembly including ring 19 in acounter-clockwise and 66.

Reversing relay 51 includes three sets of normally open contacts 67-69,one set of normally closed contacts 71), and an additional set ofnormally open contacts 71. Reversing relay 52 includes three sets ofnormally open reversing contacts 72-74,'and one set of normally closedcontacts 75.

The time delay relays 55 and 56 are of the conventional on delay" timedelay relay type and include normally open contacts 76 and 77,respectively. These two relays are so constructed and arranged that thecontacts are actuated to their closed position after an adjustableperiod of time has elapsed'after first energization. Time delay relays55, 56 are identical and can, for example, be constructed according toUS Pat. No. 2,980,826, issued Apr. 18, 1961, to W. F. Horton. Thus,relay 55 can comprise a PNP type transistor 550, the emitter of whichis'connected to conductor 90 via resistor 55b and rectifier R and thecollector of which is connected to one terminal of the actuating winding89, the base of the transistor being connected to ground via adjustablepotentiometer 55c and a condenser 55d being connected between the baseand a point between rectifier R and resistor 55b. Winding 89 operates asecond set of nonnally open contacts 76a which, when closed, connectconductor 90 directly to winding 89. When contacts 62 are closed,winding 89 is energized to close contacts 76 after a time delaydetermined by the capacitance of condenser 55d and the resistance ofpotentiometer 55c and resistor 55b. Closing of contacts 76a maintainswinding 39 energized, so contacts 76 remain closed, and places thetiming circuit in an inactive condition in which condenser 55d isdischarged. Adjustment of the time delay af forded by relay 55 isaccomplished by adjusting potentiometer 55c. Relay 56 operates in thesame fashion just described, providing a time delay determined byadjustment of potentiometer 56c.

The control circuit is connected between a supply terminal 78 and groundand includes a conductor 79 in which the manual switch 57, the press ramposition switch 58 and the contacts 59a of relay 59 are all connected inseries so that the manual switch 57, position switch 53 and relaycontacts 59a must all be closed before the control circuit can beenergized. I

The actuating winding 80 of solenoid operated valve 43 is connectedbetween conductor 79 and ground via conductor 81. As previouslyexplained valve 43 is so constructed and arranged as to control the flowof pressure fluid to power device'37 to cause deflector plate' 35 to beswung to its deflecting position whenever the winding 80 has beenenergized. When winding 80 is de' energized, a spring 82 automaticallyreturns the valve to a normal position in which power device 37 isoperated to swing plate 35 to its stowed position. Accordingly, wheneverswitch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 59a are all simultaneouslyclosed, winding 80 of the valve will be energized and deflecting plate35 will accordingly occupy its deflecting position but, whenever any ofswitch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 59a are open, winding 80cannot be energized,

and spring 82 will maintain valve 43 in a condition such that thedeflecting plate occupies its stowed position. Contacts 65 of positionswitch 54 are connected, on one side, via conductor 83 to conductor 79,and, on the other side, via conductor 84 to one side of contacts 63 ofposition switch 53. The other side of contacts 63 is connected byconductor 85 to one side of contacts 70 of reversing relay 51. The otherside of contacts 70 is connected via conductor 86 to one terminal ofwinding 87 of reversing relay 52, the other terminal of that windingbeing connected to ground. Accordingly, when neither switch 53 norswitch 54 is in its actuated position, closing of the series combinationof switch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 59a will result inenergization of the winding 87 of reversing relay 52 via the circuitjust described, the result of such energization being to close contacts72-74 and to open contacts 75. Closing of contacts 72-74 energizes motor26 to drive the distributor assembly, including ring 19 and plate 35, ina counterclockwise direction and such driving action will continue untilthe cam 60 engages the actuating arm of switch 53 to actuate thatswitch.

One side of contacts 62 of switch 53 is connected to conductor 79 byconductor 88. The other side of these contacts is connected to oneterminal of winding 89 via conductor 90 and the timing circuit of timedelay relay 55, the other terminal of winding 89 being connected toground. One side of contacts 76 of relay 55 is connected to conductor 79via conductor 91. The other side of contacts 76 is connected byconductor 92 to one side of the contacts 66 of position switch 54. Theother side of contacts 66 is connected by conductor 93 to one side ofcontacts 75 of reversing relay 52, the other side of that set ofcontacts being connected by conductor 94 to one terminal of theactuating winding 95 of reversing relay 51. The remaining terminal ofwinding 95 is connected to ground. Conductor 92 is also connected to oneside of the normally open contacts 71 of reversing relay 51 viaconductor 96, the other side of contacts 64 being connected to conductor79.

Actuation of switch 53 by cam 60 causes contacts 62 to close andcontacts 63 to open. Opening of contacts 63 deenergizes winding 87 ofrelay 52, so that contacts 72-74 open to interrupt current flow to motor26. Closing of contacts 62 completes the circuit to time delay relay 55so that winding 89 thereof is energized and contacts 76 are closed,after the delay afforded by the timing circuit. With contacts 76 nowclosed, a circuit is completed which includes conductors 91 and 92,contacts 66, conductor 93, contacts 75 of reversing relay 52, conductor94, and the actuating winding 95 of reversing relay 51. Since positionswitch 54 is not actuated, contacts 66 are in their normally closedposition. Similarly, since winding 87 of relay 52 is deenergized,contacts 75 are in their normally closed position, and the winding 95 isaccordingly energized to cause contacts 67-69 to close, contacts 70 toopen, and contacts 71 to close. Closing of contacts 67-69 causes motor26 to be energized to rotate the distributor assembly, including ring 19and deflector plate 35, in a clockwise direction. Opening of contacts 70assures that winding 87 of reversing relay 52 cannot be energized againuntil reversing relay 51 has been deenergized. Closing of contacts 71and 66 completes a holding circuit, including conductors 79, 96, 92 and93, contacts 75, and conductor 94 to maintain winding 95 energizedregardless of the condition of contacts 76 of time delay relay 55. Thisholding circuit is necessary to assure continued energization of windingduring the clockwise cycle of movement of the distributor after thattime when the cam 60 has disengaged from the actuating arm of switch 53.

One side of contacts 64 of position switch 54 is connected to conductor79 by conductor 97. The other side of this set of contacts is connectedby conductor 98 and the timing circuit of relay 56 to one terminal ofwinding 99 of that relay, the other terminal of winding 99 beingconnected to ground. Accordingly, when the distributor has completed itsclockwise cycle of movement, so that cam 60 actuates position switch 54,closing of contacts 64 of switch 54 causes winding 99 of relay 56 to beenergized to close contacts 77 after the time delay afforded by thetiming circuit of relay 56. Contacts 77 are connected between one sideof contacts 63 and conductor 79 by conductors 100 and 101. With contacts63 occupying their normally closed position, and with contacts 77 closedas a result of energization of winding 99, a circuit comprisingconductor 100, contacts 77, conductor 101, contacts 63, conductor 85,contacts 70, and conductor 86 is completed to energize winding 87 ofreversing relay 52. Energiza tion of winding 87 again actuates contacts72-74 to their closed position to energize motor 26 to drive thedistributor assembly in its counterclockwise direction, as hereinbeforedescribed.

Switch 58 can be of any conventional normally open type equipped with asuitable actuating arm to be engaged by a cam, indicateddiagrammatically at 102 in FIG. 5 and secured to the press ram, thelocation of the cam and switch being such that the switch will be closedonly when the press ram is in its fully elevated position and,therefore, completely clear of the charger. Relay 59 is employed tocontrol the driving motor 103, FIG. 5, for the infeed conveyor 47, thiscontrol being via normally open contacts 59b of the relay. Manual switch97 is provided as a manual override for the automatic operation whichwould otherwise result when both switch 58 and contacts 59a of relay 59are closed.

Switch 57 and time delay relays 55, 56 are mounted in a suitable controlpanel, indicated diagrammatically at CP, FIG. 1, with the operatingmembers disposed for manipulation by an operator standing adjacentcontainer 3 in a position to observe through translucent portion 7whether the flow and distribution of the compressible material isproper. Potentiometers 55c and 560 can be rotary potentiometers eachequipped with an adjusting knob and dial (not shown) calibrated, e.g.,in fractions of a second over the range 0-10 seconds.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the normal operation ofthe distributor, under the control of the system illustrated in FIG. 5and just described, is to provide automatic sequential clockwise andcounterclockwise rotary movement of the distributor assembly includingdeflector plate 35 whenever the press ram is fully elevated and theinfeed conveyor is operated to supply loose material to be packed.Though the distributor assembly is driven at a constant rate by motor26, the effective overall rate of the distributor assembly can beadjusted, by an operator at the floor level, by adjusting time delayrelays 55 and 56 to vary the residence or dwell time of the deflectorblade at the end of its counterclockwise and clockwise movement,respectively. Such adjustment can be the same for each relay, so as tochange the overall distributing effect, or selectively different for thetwo relays, so as to distribute more material to one side or the otherof conveyor 47. The control system further assures that the deflectorplate 35 will automatically be actuated to its deflecting positionwhenever the distributor is in operation, yet will be movedautomatically to its stowed position whenever the press rarn descends,as detected by opening of-switch 58.

FIG. 6 illustrates diagrammatically a portion of the control system fora press constructed in accordance with the invention and embodying anadditional safety feature to further assure that the deflecting plate 35will be in its stowed position whenever the press ram is not in itsfully raised position. Here, the power cylinder for the press isindicated at 104, and aconventional double-solenoid, three-positioncontrol valve 105 is shown, connected to control the flowof pressurefluid to the cylinder 104. Valve 98 includes a solenoid winding 106 tooperate the valve for control of cylinder 104 in driving the press ramdownwardly through the charger. Winding 106 is. energized via a circuitincluding contacts 107 and 108 in series. Valve 105 further includes asecond solenoid winding 109 to place the valve in condition for flow ofpressure fluid in a direction to cause cylinder 104 to raise the pressram, and winding 109 is connected to be energized by a circuit includingcontacts 110 and 111 in series. Contacts 107 and 110 are portions ofposition switch 45 provided with an operating arm, indicated at 112, theswitch being so positioned that operating arm 112 is engaged by arm 41of hell crank lever 32 to actuate the normally open contacts 107 and 110to their closed position only when arm 41 occupies that positionresulting when deflector plate 35 has been pivoted to its stowedposition.

Accordingly, the presence of normally open contacts 107,110 assuresthat, regardless of the position of control contacts 108 and 111, valve105 cannot be energized to supplypressure fluid to cylinder 104 untildeflector plate has moved to its stowed position.

While the embodiment of the invention hereinbefore describedaccomplishes adjustment of distribution solely by adjusting the dwell orresidence time of deflecting plate 35 at the ends of its arcuate path oftravel about the top of the charger, a still more effective adjustmentcan be accomplished by controlling both-the extent of each half of thearcuate path of travel and the dwell times, as by the embodiment shownin FIG. 7. The control system shown in FIG. 7 is to be considered asapplied to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4, and parts of that apparatus areindicated in FIG. 7 by the same reference characters employed in FIGS.1-5. v

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, actuating winding 80 of solenoid valve 43is connected to supply terminal 70 via the series combination of relaycontacts 59a, press ram position sensing switch 58 and normally opencontacts 57a of manual switch 57, so that the winding 00 can beenergized to pivot plate 35 to its deflecting position only when all ofthe contacts 59a, 58 and 57a are closed. The remainder of the controlsystem is powered from terminal 78 via conductor 79 only when a secondset of contacts 57b of switch 57 are closed, contacts 57a and 57b beingganged for simultaneous operation as indicated. The control systemaccomplishes operation of motor 26 by means including reversing relays115 and 116 and adjustable time delay relays 117-120 which can, forexample, be of the same type illustrated at 55 and 56, FIG. 5.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 controls the period of time distributor ring19, and thus plate 35, are turned after the plate passes a nominalmidpoint of its arcuate travel, and that midpoint is established by aconventional two-position switch 121 which can be mounted on ring 12 andis actuated by a cam finger 122 secured rigidly to and projectingradially from distributor ring 19. Switch 121 includes fixed contacts123, 124 and a movable contact 125, and is equipped with a pivotedroller yoke 126 so constructed and arranged as to be pivoted to movecontact 125 into engagement with contact 123 when finger 122 engages theyoke as a result of counterclockwise movement (as viewed in FIG. 7) ofring 19 and to move contact 125 into engagement with contact 124 whenring 19 moves in the opposite direction.

Reversing relay includes three sets of normally open contacts 127, and129 each connected in a different one of the power lines for motor 26 insuch fashion that, when all three sets of contacts are closed, motor 26is operated to drive the distributor assembly, including ring 19 andplate 35, counterclockwise. Relay 115 also includes an additional set ofnormally open contacts 130 and an actuating winding 131. Reversing relay116 includes three sets of normally open contacts 132, 133 and 134 soconnected that, when all three contact sets are closed, motor 26 isoperated to drive the distributor assembly in a clockwise direction.Relay 116 also comprises an additional set of normally open contacts 135and an actuating winding 136.

Time delay relay 117 is connected to supply conductor 79 via conductors137, 138 only when switch 121 is operated to engage movable contact 125with fixed contact 124, i.e., when switch 121 hasbeen actuated byclockwise movement of ring 19. Relay 117 includes a normally open set ofcontacts 139 and a normally closed set of contacts 140. Contacts 139 areconnected between supply conductor 79 and the input terminal of timedelay relay 119 by conductors 141, 142. One contact of contact set 140is connected to one terminal of winding 131 of reversing relay 115 byconductor 143, the other terminal of winding 131 being connected toground. The other contact of contact set 140 is connected to supplyconductor 79 via two paths, the first comprising conductors 144, andcontacts 130 of reversing relay 1 15, the other comprising conductors146, 147 and normally open contacts 148 of time delay relay 120.

Time delay relay 118 is connected to supply conductor 79 via conductors137 and 149 only when switch 121 is operated to engage movable contact125 with fixed contact 123, i.e., when switch 121 has been actuated bycounterclockwise movement of ring 19. Relay 118 includes a set ofnormally open contacts 150 and a set of normally closed contacts 151. Byconductors 152, 153 and 149, normally open contacts 150 are connectedbetween the input terminal of time delay relay 120 and fixed contact 123of switch 121, so that time delay relay 120 can be energized from supplyconductor 79 by operation of time delay relay 118. One contact ofnormally closed contact set 151 is connected by conductor 154 to oneterminal of winding 136, the other terminal being connected to ground.The other contact of fixed contact set 151 is connected to supplyconductor 79 via two paths, one path comprising conductor 155, normallyopen contacts 135 of reversing relay 116, and conductor 156, the otherpath comprising conductor 157, the normally open contacts 158 of timedelay relay 119, and conductor 159.

An indicator lamp 160 is connected in parallel with actuating winding131 of reversing relay 115 so as to be energized whenever the actuatingwinding 131 is energized. Similarly, an indicator lamp 161 is connectedin parallel with actuating winding 136 of reversing relay 116.

Switch 157, time delay relays 117-120, and indicator lamps 160, 161 arelocated at ground level so as to be accessible to an operator standing,e.g., near the container in which the tobacco or other fragmentarymaterial is to be packed. Typically, these elements can be mounted inthe control panel CP, Fig. 1, so that the time delay relays can beadjusted by the operator as h observes through charger portion 7.

In operation, manual closing of switch 57 energizes the distributorcontrol circuit, though solenoid valve 80 will not be energized to swingblade 35 to its deflecting position until press ram up contacts 58 andinfeed conveyor control contacts 59a are also closed. Assume thatcontacts 57b have been closed, that motor 26 has been energized byactuation of relay 115 to drive the distributor assembly, including ring19, clockwise and that such movement has actuated switch 121 to engagecontact 125 with contact 124. Under these circumstances, time delayrelay 117 has been energized, is within the time delay period for whichit has been adjusted, and therefore has not actuated contacts 139, 140.At the end of the time delay period, relay 117 actuates contacts 139 toclosed position and opens contacts 140. Opening of contacts 140deenergizes winding 131 and lamp 160. Motor 26 stops. Contacts 130 areopen.

With contacts 139 closed, time delay relay 119 is energized to commencethe time delay period for which it has been adjusted. When that periodhas elapsed, relay 119 operates to close contacts 158. During the timedelay period provided by relay 119, motor 26 re mains unenergized andring 19 and deflecting blade 35 therefore remain stationary, with theblade in its deflecting position in that location reached by the bladeas a result of the operation of the motor which was terminated bycontacts 140.

When contacts 158 close, winding 136 of relay 116 is energized via thenormally closed contacts of time delay relay 118. All of contacts132-135 therefore close and motor 26 is energized to drive thedistributor counterclockwise. Closing of contacts 135 establishes aholding circuit for winding 136 so that energization of that winding isno longer dependent on contacts 158 being closed. Lamp 16] is energizedto indicate to the operator that motor 26 is running to drive thedistributor counterclockwise. As counterclockwise movement of ring 19continues, finger 122 passes the nominal midpoint of its arcuate traveland engages yoke 126, actuating contact 125 of switch 121 intoengagement with contact 123, so that time delay relay 118 is energizedand time delay relays 117 and 119 are deenergized and reset. When thetime delay for which relay 118 has been adjusted elapses, that relayoperates to close contacts 150 and open contacts 151, so that time delayrelay 120 is energized and winding 136 of relay 116 is deenergized. Suchaction stops motor 26 and is observable to the operator bydeenergization of lamp 161. Contacts 135 are open. Time delay relay 120commences the delay period for which it has been adjusted and, at theend of that period, operates to close its contacts 148. Time delay relay117 having reset, so that its contacts 140 are closed, closing ofcontacts 148 again energizes winding 131 of relay so that contacts127-130 are closed and motor 26 is again energized to drive ring 19 in aclockwise direction. At this time, contact 125 of switch 121 stillengages contact 123, and time delay relays 118, remain energized, sothat winding 131 of relay 115 remains energized via closed contacts 148.When ring 19 passes through the nominal midpoint of its arcuate travel,switch 121 is actuated by finger 122 to move contact into engagementwith contact 124, deenergizing time delay relays 118, 120 and energizingtime delay relay 117. Operation now continues as initially described.

it will thus be seen that, once operation is initiated, and assumingthat deflecting blade 35 is at one end of its arcuate travel, thecontrol system first causes the distributor assembly to be driventhrough its nominal midpoint, established by switch 121 and finger 122,the appropriate one of time delays relays 117, 118 then causes thedistributor assembly to advance for a further distance to an end pointdepending upon the adjustment of that time delay relay, and thecorresponding one of time delay relays 119, 120 then causes thedeflecting plate 35 to dwell at that end point for a time depending uponthe adjustment of the respective time delay relay 119, 120, theoperation being then automatically repeated in the reverse direction.Thus, as to movement of plate 35 in either direction, the operator canadjust both the arcuate distance that plate 35 travels beyond thenominal midpoint and the dwell time for the plate at the end of itstravel through that arcuate distance, all by adjustment of theappropriate time delay relays 117-120. Such dual adjustment affords acapability of fine control of the action of the distributor.

For purposes of safety, indicator lamps 160, 161 allow the operator toobserve from floor level when one or the other of the two reversingrelays 115, 116 is energized, continued energization of either lamp 160,161 beyond the time delay range being an indication of system failure.As an additional safety measure, limit stops (not shown) can be providedon ring 12 to be engaged by cooperating elements on ring 19 in event ofovertravel of ring 19 in either direction, engagement of the limit stopscausing the distributor assembly to stop, with attendant slippage of thedrive belt 23.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, applied toa press for packing tobacco or the like into rectangular containers, thepress being of that general type which is equipped with an uprightcharger having a rectangular transverse cross section corresponding tothe rectangular shape of the case or other rectangular container intowhich the tobacco or the like is to be compressed. Here, the charger 200includes, at its upper end, a short upwardly and outwardly flaringportion 201 to which is secured a top portion 202 of somewhat largertransverse dimensions than the charger proper. The open rectangularupper end of portion 202 is provided with an externally locatedstiffening collar 203.

Two deflector plates 204 and 205 are employed, each suspended pivotallyfrom collar 203 by means of shafts 206 and 207, respectively. The endportions of shafts 206, 207 are respectively journaled in two parallelsides of collar 203 and one end portion of each shaft projects outwardlyfor a short distance beyond one of the sides. At this one side ofcharger portion 202, there is secured to the outwardly projecting andportion of shaft 206 a bell crank lever 208. At the same side of chargerportion 202, a bellcrank lever 209 is secured to shaft 207. Lever 208includes a depending arm 210 and a laterally projecting arm 211.Similarly, lever 209 includes a depending arm 212 and a laterallyprojecting arm 213. Levers 208'and 209 are so disposed that the arms 211and 213 project in opposite directions, each extending beyond the sidelimits of the adjacent wall of charger portion 202.

A pressure fluid-operated rectilinearly acting power device 214 isprovided which comprises a cylinder 215, a piston 216, and a piston rod217. The free end of the piston rod 217 is pivotally connected -to thelower end of arm 212 of lever 209-by a clevis 218 which is threadedlyengaged with the piston rod to allow the effective length of the rod tobe adjusted. The closed end of cylinder 215 is connected to the lowerend of arm 210 of lever 208 by a clevis 219. The dimensions of powerdevice 214 are so chosen that, when piston 216 is moved to the right, asviewed in FIG. 9, levers 208 and 209 are pivoted in opposite directionsto move the deflector plates 204, 205 to their stowed positions, againstthe respective sides of charger portion 202. On the other hand, whenpower device 214 is energized to move piston 216 to the left, as viewedin FIG. 9, the effective over-all length of the power device isshortened, swinging the deflector plates 204, 205 toward the interior ofcharger portion 202 if power device 221, later described, is notpressured.

The bottom end of charger portion 202 is provided with an exteriorstiffening collar 220. A second rectilinearly acting, fluidpressure-actuated power device 221 is provided, comprising a cylinder222, a piston 223, and a piston rod 224. The closed end of cylinder 222is mounted on stiffening collar 220 by a clevis 225 and bracket 226.Power device 221 is'disposed vertically, so that piston rod 224 projectsupwardly, terminating adjacent the free end of arm 213 of lever 209. Thefree end of piston rod 224 is pivotally connected to the free endof arm213 by clevis 227.

Pressure fluid lines 228 and 229 are connected respectively to the endsof cylinder 215 of power device 214 and to a solenoid operated reversingvalve 230. Similarly, pressure fluid lines 231 and 232 are connected tothe respective ends of cylinder 222 of power device 221 and to asolenoid operating reversing valve 233. Actuating winding 234 of valve230 is connected between supply terminal 235 and ground via conductor236. The series combination of a manual switch 237, contacts 238 of arelay 239, and a position switch 240 is connected in conductor 236 sothat the actuating winding 234 is energized whenever all of switch 237,contacts 238 and switch 240 are closed, but is deenergized when any ofthose three switching devices is opened.

The actuating winding 241 of valve 233 is connected between ground andconductor 236 by a circuit comprising conductor 242, the normally opencontacts 243 of adjustable time delay relay 244, and conductor 245. Thesupply terminal of relay 244 is connected to conductor 236 via conductor246, the normally closed contacts 247 of a second adjustable time delayrelay 248, and conductor 249. The supply terminal of time delay relay248 is connected to conductor 236 via conductor 250, contacts 243 ofrelay 244, and conductor 245. An indicator lamp 251 is connected inparallel with time delay relay 248. A second indicator lamp 252 isconnected in parallel with time delay relay 244 via a set of normallyopen contacts 253 of relay 244.

When all of contacts 237, 238 and 239 are closed, winding 234 isenergized via conductor 236, actuating valve 230 from the position shownto its actuated position, so that pressure fluid is supplied to cylinder215 via conduit 229. When winding 234 is thus energized, winding 241 hasnot yet been energized, cylinder 222 is therefore pressured below piston223, and bell crank lever 209 is accordingly prevented from moving.Supply of pressure fluid via conduit 229 thus causes cylinder 215 to bemoved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 8, pivoting bell crank lever 208counterclockwise and swinging plate 204 upwardly and inwardly to adeflecting position while plate 205 remains in inactive position againstthe adjacent side wall of charger top portion 202. Such action of powerdevice 214 establishes a particular spacing between the lower edges ofplates 204 and 205 (and therefore a particular downward and inwardconvergent relationship between the two plates) which is predeterminedby screw thread adjustment of clevis 28 on rod 217.

When all of contacts 237, 238 and 240 are closed, time delay relay 244is energized, relay 248 being deenergized and its contacts 247 thereforebeing closed. Energization of relay 244 is observable because lamp 252is energized. When the time delay periodfor which relay 244 has beenadjusted has elapsed, that relay operates to close its contacts 243 andopen contacts 253. Closing of contacts 243 causes simultaneousenergization of winding 241 and time delay relay 248. With winding 241energized, valve 233 is actuated to cause pressure fluid to flow throughconduit 231 into the upper end of cylinder 222 so that piston 223 isdriven downwardly, pivoting bell crank lever 209 clockwise. Sincepowerdevice 214 remains pressurized in the sense caused by continuingenergization of winding 234, clockwise movement of lever 209 causessimultaneous clockwise movement-of lever 208 so that plates 204 and 205are pivoted in unison, plate 204 swinging back to its vertical positionand plate 205 swinging upwardly and inwardly to its full deflectingposition. When the delay time for which relay 248 has been adjusted haselapsed, that relay operates to open its contacts 247, deenergizing timedelay relay 244 with resultant opening of contacts 243 so that winding241 is deenergized and relay 248 is also deenergized. With winding 241deenergized, the biasing spring 254 of valve 233 returns the valve tothe position seen in FIG. 8, so that pressure fluid is supplied again tocylinder 222 via line 232 to drive piston 223 upwardly and turn bellcrank lever 209, and therefore lever 208, counterhas been stopped bydeenergization of relay 239, opening of contacts 238 results indeenergization of both windings 234 and 241, so that valves 230 and 233return to their initial positions, causing power devices 214 and 221 toreturn both deflector plates 204 and 205 to their stowed positions,preparatory to movement of the press ram downwardly through the charger.

In effect, having the adjustable time delay relays 244, 248 available atfloor level allows the operator to adjust both the overall time periodfor each half cycle of distributor operation, i.e., the time requiredfor one of the plates 204, 205 to swing from inactive position to fulldeflecting position, and to adjust the dwell period at the end of eachhalf cycle. Under usual circumstances, clevis 218 is adjusted to providea spacing between the lower edges of plates 204, 205, when power device214 has been pressured via conduit 229, which is large enough to causethe distributor, when initially operated, to provide a slight excessbuildup of the tobacco or the like. The operator can then achieve evenfilling of the case or other container by adjusting relays 244, 248 tocause a controlled dwell of each plate 204, 205 in its full deflectingposition, such dwells being adjusted to cause the distributor to deflectthe appropriate amounts of material into the end portions of the case orother rectangular container.

In order to provide for control of the speed at which the plates 204,205 are swung, adjustable one-way orifice valves 255, 256 are connectedrespectively in conduits 231, 232, with the check valves thereoforiented to provide full flow of pressure fluid into the cylinder 222and to close when fluid flow through the respective conduit is in theopposite direction, such closing causing the fluid to flow only via amanually adjustable oriflce.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material such astobacco into a container, the apparatus comprising floor level supportfor the container, an elongated upright tubular charger arranged abovethe location for the container, infeed conveyor means for supplying thecompressible material to the top of the charger, a distributor fordeflecting the compressible material generally transversely of thecharger to accomplish substantially even distribution of thecompressible material relative to the cross section of the space definedby the combination of the container andthe charger, and press meansincluding a pressing head and means for passing the pressing headdownwardly through the charger after filling has been accomplished, thedistributor comprising at least one deflector and operating meanseffective to present the same in deflecting position selectively at aplurality of different locations spaced about the top of the charger asthe compressible material is being supplied by the infeed conveyor meansand at an inoperative position which allows the pressing head to passthe distributor, the improvement comprising, in combination,

power means forming part of the operating means of the distributor andoperatively connected to the at least one deflector;

control means operatively connected to said power 6 flecting position ata given location relative to the top of the charger; and

manually adjustable timing means located at the floor level andconnected to said control means to determine at least the time periodover which the at least one deflector is held in deflecting position atsaid given location.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and in which the charger has acircular transverse cross section and the distributor comprises adeflector plate, a carrier on which the plate is mounted, meanssupporting the carrier for movement along an arcuate horizontal pathwhich is at the top of the charger and concentric therewith, and meansmounting the plate for movement between a substantially verticalinactive position, to allow the pressing head to pass, and an inclineddeflecting position, wherein said power means comprises a first powerdevice connected to the plate and operative, when energized, to move theplate to its deflecting position and hold the plate in that position;and

a second, reversible power device arranged to drive the carrier, andtherefore the plate, along its arcuate path;

said control means comprises first control means for energizing saidfirst power device when the pressing head is in a raised inactiveposition and the infeed conveyor means is operating; and

second control means for operating said second power device first in onedirection, to drive the carrier to one end of its arcuate path, and thenin the opposite direction, to drive the carrier to the other end of itsarcuate path with such operation continuing until the charger has beenfilled to a desired extent with compressible material; and

said manually adjustable timing means comprises two manually adjustabletimingdevices forming part of said second control means and eacharranged to establish a timed dwell period during which the carrier ismaintained substantially stationary at a different end of its arcuatepath.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second power device is areversible electric motor and said second control means comprisesreversing circuit means operatively connected to said motor andincluding two position switches each arranged to be actuated in responseto appearance of the carrier adjacent a different end of the arcuatepath of travel of the carrier;

said manually adjustable timing means comprising two adjustable timedelay electrical relays, and

circuit means connecting said relays to said reversing circuit means,

each of said relays being connected to respond to a different one ofsaid position switches and to operate said second control means toenergize said motor at a time after actuation of the respective positionswitch and in a direction opposite to that in which the motor operatedwhen driving the carrier to cause actuation of the respective positionswitch.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second power device is areversible electric motor and said second control means comprisesreversing circuit means operatively connected to said motor andincluding two actuating windings each connected to cause the motor tooperate in a different direction; and said manually adjustable timingmeans comprises a first adjustable time delay relay connected todetermine a first time period during which the motor is operated todrive the plate in one direction,

a second adjustable time delay relay connected to deenergize the motorand maintain the plate stationary for a second time period commencing atthe end of said first time period,

a third adjustable time delay relay connected to determine a second timeperiod during which the motor is operated to drive the plate in theother direction, and

a fourth adjustable time delay relay connected to deenergize the motorand maintain the plate stationary for a fourth time period commencing atthe end of said third time period.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second control meanscomprises selector switch means disposed to be operated when the plateis driven past a predetermined intermediate point on its arcuate path oftravel,

a first circuit portion responsive to operation of said selector switchmeans by passage of the plate by said intermediate point in onedirection and connected to control said second power device as it drivesthe plate in said one direction to the corresponding end of its arcuatepath, and

a second circuit portion responsive to operation of said selector switchmeans by passage of the plate by said intermediate point in the otherdirection and connected to control said second power device as it drivesthe plate in said other direction to the other end of its arcuate path,

said two timing devices being connected each in a different one of saidcircuit portions.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the top of the charger is ofrectangular transverse cross section and the distributor comprises twoflat deflector plates each mounted to swing about an axis parallel toand immediately adjacent a different one of two opposite side walls ofthe top of the charger, the distributor further comprising adjustablelength means interconnecting the two plates,

said power means comprising a reversible motor and means connecting thesame to swing the two deflector plates simultaneously,

' said control means being connected to operate said motor under theinfluence of said manually adjustable timing means.

Disclaimer 3,817,298.-Fran02's B. Fishbume, Asheviile, N .C. VERTICALPRESS AP- PARATUS WITH REMOTELY CONTROLLED DISTRIBU- TOR. Patent datedJune 18, 1974. Disclaimer filed Feb. 29, 1980, by the inventor. Herebyenters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2 and 3 of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette, A r/112.9, 1.980.]

1. In an apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material such astobacco into a container, the apparatus comprising floor level supportfor the container, an elongated upright tubular charger arranged abovethe location for the container, infeed conveyor means for supplying thecompressible material to the top of the charger, a distributor fordeflecting the compressible material generally transversely of thecharger to accomplish substantially even distribution of thecompressible material relative to the cross section of the space definedby the combination of the container and the charger, and press meansincluding a pressing head and means for passing the pressing headdownwardly through the charger after filling has been accomplished, thedistributor comprising at least one deflector and operating meanseffective to present the same in deflecting position selectively at aplurality of different locations spaced about the top of the charger asthe compressible material is being supplied by the infeed conveyor meansand at an inoperative position which allows the pressing head to passthe distributor, the improvement comprising, in combination, power meansforming part of the operating means of the distributor and operativelyconnected to the at least one deflector; control means operativelyconnected to said power means and effective, when operated, to controlsaid power means to move the at least one deflector to deflectingposition and hold the same in deflecting position at a given locationrelative to the top of the charger; and manually adjustable timing meanslocated at the floor level and connected to said control means todetermine at least the time period over which the at least one deflectoris held in deflecting position at said given location.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 and in which the charger has a circular transversecross section and the distributor comprises a deflector plate, a carrieron which the plate is mounted, means supporting the carrier for movementalong an arcuate horizontal path which is at the top of the charger andconcentric therewith, and means mounting the plate for movement betweena substantially vertical inactive position, to allow the pressing headto pass, and an inclined deflecting position, wherein said power meanscomprises a first power device connected to the plate and operative,when energized, to move the plate to its deflecting position and holdthe plate in that position; and a second, reversible power devicearranged to drive the carrier, and therefore the plate, along itsarcuate path; said control means comprises first control means forenergizing said first power device when the pressing head is in a raisedinactive position and the infeed conveyor means is operating; and secondcontrol means for operating said second power device first in onedirection, to drive the carrier to one end of its arcuate path, and thenin the opposite direction, to drive the carrier to the other end of itsarcuate path with such operation continuing until the charger has beenfilled to a desired extent with compressible material; and said manuallyadjustable timing means comprises two manually adjustable timing devicesforming part of said second control means and each arranged to establisha timed dwell period during which the carrier is maintainedsubstantially stationary at a different end of its arcuate path. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second power device is areversible electric motor and said second control means comprisesreversing circuit means operatively connected to said motor andincluding two position switches each arranged to be actuated in responseto appearance of the carrier adjacent a different end of the arcuatepath of travel of the carrier; said manually adjustable timing meanscomprising two adjustable tiMe delay electrical relays, and circuitmeans connecting said relays to said reversing circuit means, each ofsaid relays being connected to respond to a different one of saidposition switches and to operate said second control means to energizesaid motor at a time after actuation of the respective position switchand in a direction opposite to that in which the motor operated whendriving the carrier to cause actuation of the respective positionswitch.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second powerdevice is a reversible electric motor and said second control meanscomprises reversing circuit means operatively connected to said motorand including two actuating windings each connected to cause the motorto operate in a different direction; and said manually adjustable timingmeans comprises a first adjustable time delay relay connected todetermine a first time period during which the motor is operated todrive the plate in one direction, a second adjustable time delay relayconnected to deenergize the motor and maintain the plate stationary fora second time period commencing at the end of said first time period, athird adjustable time delay relay connected to determine a second timeperiod during which the motor is operated to drive the plate in theother direction, and a fourth adjustable time delay relay connected todeenergize the motor and maintain the plate stationary for a fourth timeperiod commencing at the end of said third time period.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said second control means comprisesselector switch means disposed to be operated when the plate is drivenpast a predetermined intermediate point on its arcuate path of travel, afirst circuit portion responsive to operation of said selector switchmeans by passage of the plate by said intermediate point in onedirection and connected to control said second power device as it drivesthe plate in said one direction to the corresponding end of its arcuatepath, and a second circuit portion responsive to operation of saidselector switch means by passage of the plate by said intermediate pointin the other direction and connected to control said second power deviceas it drives the plate in said other direction to the other end of itsarcuate path, said two timing devices being connected each in adifferent one of said circuit portions.
 6. Apparatus according to claim1 wherein the top of the charger is of rectangular transverse crosssection and the distributor comprises two flat deflector plates eachmounted to swing about an axis parallel to and immediately adjacent adifferent one of two opposite side walls of the top of the charger, thedistributor further comprising adjustable length means interconnectingthe two plates, said power means comprising a reversible motor and meansconnecting the same to swing the two deflector plates simultaneously,said control means being connected to operate said motor under theinfluence of said manually adjustable timing means.